So if you add a "Point A to Point B" style story such as having to choose one of them was that purpose, it leads you to demand between generating expectation in the viewer of who is likely to win while maintaining interest in the show's fanbase with stories about the girls. In practice, there are groups of fans (usually those who are not harem fans) who seem to care more about how the story develops or how relatable the main character is, even going so far as to criticize the basic idea of the harem as unnecessary or a distraction to develop their characters.
Anyway, if these problems occur in harem where there are 4-5 characters in love with the character, then how the hell can 100 characters work? Or they thought that was a problem...
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You (abbreviated as "Hyakkano") is an ambitious project: where a guy unlucky with his love lives is given the opportunity to get a total of 100 girlfriends just like the title says it. You don't have to be a detective to conclude that this parodies any harem title. Even still, it makes fun of those stories that, mentioned above, seek to focus so much on "Who will win?", well, in a matter of minutes the show makes it clear to us that its intention is to make us laugh rather than to emphasize too much on a realistic story.
Likewise, the show manages to use the frequent tropes and jokes of these stories, the use of constantly evolving personality archetypes that are deconstructed as the show progresses, as well as any other nods to popular culture. Even breaking the fourth wall by making fun of the series itself or the author is a frequent joke that stands out, not because it is not original, but because of how unpredictable it becomes when you immerse yourself in this story.
The animation is at a decent level, with a cute and common design for this genre. Unlike what Bibury Animation Studios did with The Quintessential Quintuplets, we see that there is greater coherence to the manga designs. However, let's not expect a surprising level, but a lot of effort when it comes to recreating the jokes and references. What is striking are the faces of the characters, especially when they become more robust. They are a curious part of the show's appeal.
As for the Opening, Daidaidaidai Daisuki na Kimi e♡, is a seiyuu song that aims to be the main topic of the show. The music video is a comedic summary of the problems Rentarou must face with his first 5 girlfriends. Overall, it's a generic song and nothing out of the ordinary. The ending is more elaborate, although it is still a J-Pop song that, however, fits quite well with the music video: which is a chibi sticker representation of our heroines doing their most common activities, ending in a meeting of them playing and having a good time, in the absence of our man.
Finally, we highlight the performance of the voice actors adapting to the archetypal role of their character. The exaggeration of uncomfortable situations makes the dialogues not very natural, but it is for the same reason that it makes it impossible to take any silly issue surrounding the characters very seriously. I highlight the moments in which Rentarou gives a hasty and nervous opinion when some of the girls say or do things in each scene.
There are more technical sections of the show that I would like to mention, but even this is a spoiler that I prefer to save so as not to ruin the joke. Especially if it's the first time you're hearing about this show...
When watching it, several fans will question that Hyakkano is more of the same and a repeated joke from many harem comedies. And since this is a progressive (and slow) introduction of each girlfriend instead of a pre-established number of girls who will already pursue the guy, some probably won't take the long road to choose the "best girl":
However, in Hyakkano, the surprise here is that all the options can be correct because the characters stand out in their proper episodes, including the main male character. I don't tend to give them importance because they are nothing more than a means for the fan to be immersed in the story from their perspective - That is, it is the least relevant when it comes to developing and deepening the harem. However, just as there is a Saito Hiraga in The Family of Zero, Rentarou Aijou is an exception: although seeing characters "be a man" and do things that a fan would like to see from this show is the second most common trope (after the "nerd loser"), the show breaks with a common trope in current romances, and that is that Hyakkano manages to "make things happen" between the characters and not be nervous episode after episode about joining hands. From the first moment, Rentarou and the girls have their pants (and skirts) on well realizing that they are in a romantic relationship, so from this show you can expect a lot of kisses at the very least from the things (among other fun moments) that this group does in your daily life.
Even so, the main challenge is what lies ahead after this initial journey: and that is that from the beginning, wanting to introduce 100 characters (and at the rate at which it goes) already leads to demanding greater creativity, but also granting participation to all its characters, if their intention is to leave it unknown who can win in the love affair so that the viewer does not notice the obvious, or just have a good time with the crazy things that this growing casting offers us. I know that those who follow the manga may feel comfortable with what Hyakkano is, but opening it up to a general public is a different case. For now, the first impression of the show is that it can be approved by those who want a bit of laughter and cute moments at the same time, as well as a few surprises here and there in each episode.
Overall, Hyakkano is an absurdly fun show, and I'm not exaggerating in saying that its crazy premise is unique, if ever anyone hasn't thought of it before. There will be shades of some fans who will argue that it is ridiculous for a harem to have a character suddenly get an unimaginable number of girls after him without any logic, especially if he receives the favor of God. But since when has someone criticized that water is wet?
